Medicaid Bill Approved in Kentucky General Assembly is Not Veto-Proof

A bill requiring prompt pay for health care providers participating in Kentucky's Medicaid managed-care system is heading to the governor's desk—but it could be vetoed.

The bill, sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo and would move disputes between providers and managed care organizations to the Department of Insurance to be settled.

Many Medicaid managed-care providers providers over late or non-existent payments from the MCOs for the services they did, repeatedly telling lawmakers their problems.

The House passed the legislature in February and the Senate OKed it on Monday.

But the bill isn't favored by the MCOs and the Cabinet for Health and Family services, which currently hears disputes, has concerns too, leading some to believe Gov. Steve Beshear will veto it. And if it is vetoed, Stumbo said he'll make a larger priority in 2014.